Careers with a Business Degree Tips

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Standardized Tests - What They Mean

The type of standardized test you may be required to take depends on the particular program of study you're hoping to get into. The level of the certificate/degree and the program field have a lot to do with admission requirements. All colleges and universities will let you know what their admission requirements are, but you may not be entirely sure what is involved when it comes to standardized tests. Below is a list of the most common tests and what they're for:

College Level Examination Program (CLEP) - This test is used to assess knowledge at the undergraduate level.

Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) – This test is required for students applying to undergraduate programs and assesses potential for college study.

American College Testing (ACT) Assessment – Certain undergraduate programs require this test to assess your educational development and aptitude for college. You'll be tested for your math, English, reading, and science knowledge.

Graduate Record Examination (GRE) – This test is typically administered to anyone enrolling in non-business related programs and assesses analytical, quantitative, and verbal skills.

Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) – This test is required for graduate level business and administration programs and tests your analytical, mathematical, and verbal abilities.

Miller Analogies Test (MAT) – This test is more typical for students enrolling in psychology and related fields and is used to test reasoning.

Test of English as a Foreign Language – This test is administered to students whose first language is not English.

   

Work Or Wait? From Business Degree To The Office

Some people prefer to take a year or two off before attending college after high school, or from undergraduate studies to graduate studies. To some, it might seem logical to plow through the complete educational process to get it done. After all, once the momentum is going, you may as well hang in there to the finish line. Unfortunately, the universities themselves may put a roadblock up in your efforts to continue forward. The reason? To get into something like a Master of Business Administration in Information Technology Management (as one example), applicants require a Bachelor's or degree from an accredited college or university, plus a minimum of three to five years of professional work experience.

It's important to have that work experience under your belt in order to be prepared for the intensity of an MBA program. By the time you find yourself working toward an MBA, you're expected to have already honed a high degree of professionalism. There'll be a lot of strategic thinking in terms of decision making, human resource management, marketing, accounting, etc. At this point, it's not just about learning new skills, it's about becoming a successful manager in either the public or private sector.

   

From Master's Degree To Educational Psychology PhD

For some people, obtaining a Master's Degree is simply a means to an end. In some cases, an MBA is used to advance already established careers. For others, it's a chance to work toward a PhD. If your ultimate goal is work within the educational system, consider obtaining your PhD. While completion requirements may vary slightly from university to university, you can expect to complete anywhere from 120 - 124 quarter credits. Courses may include things like Lifespan Developmentor, Adolescent Psychology, Cognitive Psychology, Qualitative Analysis, Research Methods, etc.

In addition to the above mentioned course names, students also have an opportunity to fine-tune their education even further by honing in on specific elective courses while working under the umbrella of Academic Psychology, Developmental Psychology, or School Psychology.

It might go without say that students will require a personal computer containing sufficient memory and speed to support the operating system. Windows 95 or higher, a Web browser such as Netscape Navigator 3.0, Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.0, or America Online 3.0 or higher, is a necessity.

If you're interested in working towards your Ph.D., contact your university of choice and look for their School of Psychology. Don't be afraid to ask specifically which technological requirements you'll need, and which courses you need to register for.

   

Career Counseling And Work Search Assistance

Now that you've finally graduated with your business degree or diploma, the job search stress is on. Of course you know all of the intricacies involved in finding work including having an error-free, up-to-date resume, professional references, business contacts, a professional wardrobe, etc. Finding employment is one thing; finding a rewarding career that's going to really take you places is quite another.

Most college and universities offer resources to help in your job search including onsite career counseling services. It might seem obvious where your interests are, based on your chosen degree or diploma, but there could be any number of niche markets you hadn't even thought about or considered. Make an appointment with the college or university's career center before graduation comes so that you're prepared to make strategic moves toward your professional goals.

Ultimately, it's up to you to be forthright and honest about your desired career path. That means identifying your personal strengths and weaknesses in an honest way, and finding ways to capitalize on your strengths during your job search. A career counselor is trained to provide you the personal insights required for a positive and successful job search.

   

A Career In The Food & Agricultural Business

Have you considered a degree in Food & Agriculture? The less-than-jazzy name belies the true nature of the program. If you have an excellent record of employment, work experience, and letters of recommendation, you could step into a field ripe with opportunities. Graduates with a Master of Business Administration in Food & Agriculture utilize knowledge of global market strategies to become key players within the import/export food sector. They oversee regulatory environments, manage finances, and perform risk analysis reports related to food and agriculture.

An example of a career in this sector is an Agri-business Commodity Trader. A person with this title manages logistics, identifies opportunities, and understands the risks and benefits around buying and selling specific commodities such as feed grains, pulse crops, oil seeds, etc. Professionals in this field work for international companies and require an astute financial sensibility. In addition, they must be able to proficiently buy and sell on a global scale.

Students interested in furthering their education in this field may qualify for specific scholarships directly related to the agriculture industry. To find scholarship applications online, do a search using keywords like “agriculture scholarship.”

   

Continuing Education For Business Managers

Sometimes all that's needed in relation to continuing education are a few quick refresher courses to tweak customer service skills, supervisory skills, leadership skills, problem-solving skills, writing and communication skills. Universities or community colleges often offer a variety of short-term courses through their Customized Training or Continuing/Distance Education departments. Typically, courses run through the evenings, on weekends, or online.

Courses of this nature typically have no prerequisites, and offer no specific credit to a future degree or diploma. They're meant to provide busy professionals with an opportunity to seek out professional development in specific areas. Occasionally, colleges might offer a certificate in leadership or management skills, dependent on the completion of a series of mandatory and elective courses. It never hurts to ask! If you're not interested in working on a major degree or diploma right now, you might want to consider taking a non-credit, part-time course.

The cost for a part-time, non-credit course, usually depends on the number of hours required to complete the course and whether or not it leads to any type of certificate or certification. You could expect to pay anywhere from $100 - $400 plus the cost of a book(s) and supplies. Again, depending on the type of course and what it entails, prices may vary.

   

Developing Your Portfolio For A Business Degree

A portfolio is working document of awards, honors, distinctions, transcripts, and work samples that you've collected over the years. The portfolio is an extremely useful tool if you're interested in challenging credits, or as a resource to use during interviews. There is a right way and wrong way to use a portfolio however. If using it to show a school what skills you have and how you've used them, it's only necessary to show them that part of the portfolio.

Likewise, if you're using a portfolio during a job interview, don't dump a three-ring binder full of stuff on the table and expect the panel to rifle through it. Instead, choose key times during the interview to bring up the fact that you have certain skills and abilities, and be prepared (with tabbed or marked pages) to efficiently produce relevant documents.

Community colleges and universities offer Portfolio courses through Continuing Education departments. If you don't already have a portfolio, and haven't been accepted into university yet, you might want to consider honing your portfolio-building skills by taking a course. It's a great self-assessment tool designed to illuminate your strengths and capabilities, while providing “proof” of your accomplishments. As your experiences grow, so will your portfolio.

   

Business School Accreditation Agencies

Schools and/or programs in the United States may be accredited by one of six regional agencies as a way of ensuring a high qualify of education to the student population. In Canada, the government regulates each school within each province.

Each of the following agencies are recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA):

Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools: Accredits schools in Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

New England Association of Schools & Colleges: Accredits schools in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.

North Central Association of Colleges & Schools: Accredits schools in Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Utah, and Washington.

Northwest Association of Schools & Colleges: Accredits schools in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Washington.

Southern Association of Colleges & Schools: Accredits schools in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia.

Western Association of Schools & Colleges: Accredits schools in California, Hawaii, and Guam.

For a full list of accrediting agencies that the U.S. Department of Education and CHEA recognize, visit their respective websites.

   
Should I update my resume now that I have an online business management degree?

A Resume For Your Online Business Management Degree

Have you recently completed your online business administration degree, or maybe your online management degree? Maybe you're close to finally getting the degree in hand, but you haven't quite made it there yet. Your work isn't over yet! If you haven't already, you'll need to construct a well thought out, carefully created resume to match your new online business administration skills.

One of the biggest mistakes people make when seeking jobs is not updating their resumes. Doing a mass email or printing off and distributing outdated resumes will never land you the business job you deserve now that you have your online business administration degree. The first thing you should do is re-evaluate the resume you already have, assuming you've got one. When was the last time it was updated? It's always a good idea to tailor your resume to meet the expectations of the potential employer. Do a search for jobs that you find particularly interesting and carefully read through the list of qualifications the successful candidate is required to have. You shouldn't have to give too much thought to the new-found skills you have with your online business management degree. Start with a skills inventory on your resume, listing all of the qualifying skills you possess. While you want your skills to align with the company's expectations, you don't want to simply cut and paste the ad onto your resume. Be honest, but don't be afraid to show them what you've got.

   
What types of responsibilities does a consultant with mba degree have?

Online Management Degrees Equal Career Growth

You've graduated with an online management degree, or an online business administration degree, and now it's time to locate jobs for mba graduates. Of all the possibilities, a job as a consultant appeals to you the most. Envisioning a day in the life of a consultant is easy. There's team collaboration, problem-solving, project management, project development and implementation, and a genuine opportunity to share your particular expertise with industry.

Just imagine…

You arrive at work dressed for success. On your desk are four requests from various companies and/or departments seeking your input on a variety of projects. Maybe you have to ensure projects meet certain industry/safety standards, or perhaps you're required to work with a client to get their standards up-to-date. As a consultant, you'll constantly be probing into deeper client-related issues, promoting solutions, and providing feedback based on your expertise.

Busy day? Time to think about your next vacation spot. MBA salaries fall within the $60,000 - $120,000 range, so you should plan to go somewhere exotic this year. Of course, the higher end of the salary scale usually falls to employees with more work experience. Still, not bad pay to start. Pat yourself on the back for obtaining that online management degree. You now have the opportunity to be actively engaged in rewarding work.

   
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